Australia commits $24.5m to SPREP

Apia, Samoa – 16 May 2025 – The Australian Government has bolstered their commitment to the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) with an additional AUD$24.75 million.

The announcement was made during the annual high-level consultations between the Government of Australia and SPREP today, building on longstanding partnership.

Mr. Sefanaia Nawadra, SPREP Director General, welcomed the announcement, saying: “Australia continues to be one of SPREP’s most significant and enduring partners. This renewed funding is especially valuable in contributing to our core financing that allows us to plan and implement our programs with confidence and continuity, responding to the urgent environmental challenges faced by our Pacific communities.”

This next phase of partnership marks a deepening of Australia’s commitment to Pacific-led solutions and underscores the importance of sustained investment in regional environmental governance.

The Australian delegation headed by former Australian High Commissioner to Samoa, Ms Emily Luck, Assistant Secretary of the Pacific Regional and Climate Branch at the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said the funding reflects Australia’s commitment to Pacific climate resilience.

“We are proud to continue our close partnership with SPREP to deliver outcomes that matter to Pacific peoples. This funding reflects Australia’s commitment to listening and responding to Pacific priorities in climate resilience, biodiversity protection, and environmental governance. We value SPREP’s regional leadership and technical expertise, and we look forward to continuing our work together to build a healthier, more resilient Pacific.”

Australia is SPREP’s largest core contributor, this new funding builds on a longstanding partnership between Australia and SPREP, reflecting shared priorities to protect the Pacific’s environment, respond to climate change, and strengthen resilience for future generations.

What Australia’s funding means for Pacific communities:

Climate Resilience in Villages and Communities: funding helps SPREP support national and local governments to develop and implement climate adaptation plans—improving early warning systems for cyclones, promoting ecosystem based adaptation and natural solutions and guidance for environmentally sustainable relocation of communities under threat from rising seas.

Protecting Nature and Traditional Knowledge: funding helps preserve critical ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs, and forests that provide food, cultural identity, and natural protection against disasters. It also supports work with communities to integrate traditional environmental knowledge into policy.

Jobs and Capacity Building: Local experts, youth, and government officials benefit from training and employment through SPREP-led programmes in environmental monitoring, project management, data collection, and conservation—building long-term skills and leadership.

Early Warning and Disaster Preparedness: Australia’s long-standing support for meteorological services has been delivered in partnership with SPREP, helping the region to forecast extreme weather more accurately and reach vulnerable communities sooner—saving lives and livelihoods.

Amplifying the Pacific Voice: Australia’s funding supports Pacific participation at global climate and environment forums, such as the UNFCCC COP, ensuring Pacific priorities are heard and respected on the world stage.